Bunch shaping, compressing, and conveying mechanism for cigar-machines.



J. D. LACROIX.' BUNCH SHAPING, COMPBESSING, AND CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CIGAR MACHINES.

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J. D. LACROIX.

BUNCH SHAPING, GOMPRESSING, AND CONVEYING MEGHANISM FOR GIGAR MACHINES. PPLIOATION FILED JUNE 15, 1903. RBNEWBD MAB. 19, 1908.

901,625. Patented 0@n.2o, 19o8.

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J. D. LACROIX.

BUNCH IHAIINGf, COMPRESSING, AND CONVEYING MBGHANISM FOR CIGAB. MAGHINES.

APPLICATION FILED :UNB 1s, 1903. nmrmnn MAB. 19, 190e.

901,625, Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

' J. D. LACROIX.

- BUNCH SHAPING, COMPRESSING, AND CONVEYING MECHANIS'M -EOR CIGAR MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, v1903. RENEWED MAE.. 19, 1908.

Patented Oct. 20, 1 908.

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rUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. LAoEoIX, OE NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR To EUGENE E. nAvIs, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUNCH SHAPING, COMPRESSING, AND CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CIGAR-MACHINES.

Application filed June 15, 1903, Serial No. 161,620. Renewed March 19, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOSEPH D. LACROIX, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful improvements in Bunch Shaping, Compressing, and Conveying Mechanism for Cigar-lvlachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cigar making machines.

The invention has for its Object to provide a novel means for effecting the shaping and compression of a bunch and its discharge from the shaping and compressing apparatus, to provide a machine embodying a number of bunch shaping cups in connection with means for forcing bunches thereinto and means for ejecting the bunches therefrom, and to provide a machine embodying a number of such bunch-shaping and compressing means arranged for continuous operation in a rapid and uniform manner.

To the ends stated, the invention consists in the machine ashereinafter described and claimed, and in the novel elements of the machine, and in the new subcombinations embodied therein.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indica-te corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invent-ion capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spiritt-hereof, and in these drawings,-Figure l is a view in elevation, partly in section, of a combination of mechanism embodying the present invention. E ig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrow thereon. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of a race or cam for opening the closures of the cup. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of one of the cups. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one of the cups. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the shell. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bottom or bunchejecting member of the cup. Fig. 8 is a view in transverse section taken on the linelf Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Serial No. 422,102.

8 8 of F ig. 4. Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken through the shell, showing the position of the ejecting member therein, the lid or closure being omitted. Fig. l0 is a perspective detail view of the mechanism for unlocking the' lids or closures of the cups and for locking the same. Eig. 11 is a Sectional detail view showing more particularly the manner in which the locking mechanism of a lid or closure is effected. Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the manner in which the lid or closure is locked. Fig. 13 is a detail end view of the bolt-guide and the camnose thereof, the bolt being shown in section and the parts being in their position after the locking mechanism has been released. Fig. 11i is a perspective detail view of the guides with which the plunger coacts that actuates the bottoms of the cups.

The bunch-receiving cup, which constitutes an important feature of the present invention and which is shown in detail in Figs. 4E to 9 inclusive, comprises a shell or body portion l, which may be cast as an integral structure or be made of sections suitably assembled, and has its inner side walls shaped to conform to the longitudinal contour of a bunch. At one end the shell is provided with an extension composed of two arms 2 and 3, which, as shown in Fig. Jr, are approximately skeleton triangles, and eacl. arm is provided at its terminal with a later ally enlarged portion the two, when assembled, constituting a head 4. As shown in the figures referred to, the shell or body portion is composed of two sections suitably held assembled by rivets 5, and when thus constructed each section will carry one of the arms 2 or 3, as the case may be; but when the shell is made an integral structure, that is to say, in one piece, the projection at the end above described may be in one piece, as will be readily understood. The end of the shell or casing opposite the head 4lis provided with a transverse orifice 6, which may be of any preferred contour, and is formed by a channel located partly within the end of the shell, and partly in a lug or offset 7 (which lug or offset, as will hereinafter appear, serves as a keeper for the catch to lock the bunch compressor in closed position), clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Arranged within the shell or casing is a movable element constituting an ejecting member 8, the upper face of which is provided with a concavity or depression 9 corresponding to the contour of a bunch. This ejecting member, which is raised by mechanism presently to be described, is held within the shell against dropping out or becoming accidentally separated therefrom by ledges 10 formed on the upper sides or inward projecting portions 11 of the shell, said portions being further provided with lugs 12, the function of which will presently appear.

Hinged to the head 1 is a compressing member 13, the same constituting the lid or closure for the cup, the ejecting member 8 constituting the bottom thereof. The under side of the lid or closure is grooved or channeled out to correspond to the contour of a bunch, so that when all of the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 5, the bunch will receive its initial shape and be in condition to receive the binder. If the bunch is introduced into a cup by the hand of the laborer or by suitable feeding mechanism, and the hinged compressing member alone is relied upon to compress and give shape thereto, the hereinafter referred to plunger, (Whether a bunch-receiving cup and the bunch compressing eleinent thereof be used independently of the machine as a distinct means, or whether the bunch-receiving cup, with or without the compressing member thereof, be embodied 'together with other similar cups, in an organized mechanism), may be dispensed with. It is to be understood in this connection that this invention is not to be limited to employment in conjunction with a machine for making bunches, and feeding them to the bunch-receiving cups, as the right is reserved to make the bunch by hand or by a machine separate and distinct from the bunch-receiving cups and then supply them thereto, or, as will hereafter appear, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the einployeinent of a cup combined with a compressing member, such as the hinged cover or lid hereinafter referred to, as the bunches may be forced into a cup by a plunger such as hereinafter described aiid receive its initial shape by reason of the contour of the plunger and the ejecting member. In any case, however, it is to be understood that the ej ectiiig member will be employed for projecting a bunch without or above the shell, thus to permit of its ready removal. The ejecting member is provided with an extension 1st disposed Vat an angle to the plane of the closure, the free end of which has associated with it in any preferred manner, ball or roller bearing 15, the function of which will presently appear, said bearing being shown held assembled with the extension, in this instance, by a screw 16, but any other suitable device may be employed for this purpose if preferred or found necessary. The end of the compressing member opposite the ball-bearing extension is vertically orificed, and in this orice is pivoted a catch 17 adapted to project within the orifice G and to engage at its lower end with the under face of the offset keeper 7, thus to hold the compressing member firmly locked into engagement with the shell or body portion, for which purpose the catch is provided with a toe 18 at its lower end. The upper end of the catch is provided with an arm 19 extending approximately at right angles to the length of the catch, and this arm is engaged by a spring 2O secured to the lid or cover. rEhe force eX- erted by the spring operates normally to project the catch outward from the lid or closure, so that when housed in the orifice, it will always have a tendency to engage the keeper 7. To effect automatic retraction of the catch in entering the orifice, the inner upper face of the offset is beveled or inclined, as at 21.

The bunch-receiving cup or mold th-us far described, is capable of being secured upon the stationary table and to be operated by hand power for the purpose of compressing and ejecting a bunch, and it is to be understood that this structure may be sold as an article of manufacture and be used as an ordinary inold, or be combined with a machine having an endless chain bearing a plurality of these cups, as will presently be described. The construction of parts of the cup herein shown and the manner of their assemblage has been found thoroughly etlicient in use; but it will be obvious that various changes may be resorted to in matters of contour, and mode of assemblage without departing from the spiritl of the invention.

rEhe present invention contemplates the employment of a plurality of these bunchtion near each end thereof, each pair being disposed in transverse alinement. The conveyer is supported by four sprocket wheels, arranged in pairs at the ends of the conveyer, and designated, respectively, 24 and 25, the spaces between the teeth of the wheels being so shaped as to permit seating therein of the lower portions of the cups, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Step-by-step motion is imparted to the pair of sprocket-wheels 25, and thus to the conveyer and the other pair of sprocket-wheels through the medium of a bar 26, one end of which carries a strap 27 encircling an eccentric 28, the latter being driven from the main driving shaft 29 which carries on its outer end a drive-wheel 30, which may be actuated from any suitable source of power. The upper end of the bar 26 is supported by a link 31, mounted on the shaft 32 which supports the pair of sprocket wheels 25, and the bar carries a pawl 33 adapted to engage with a ratchet-wheel 34 on the shaft 32. It will be seen that as the eccentric 2S is rotated, the bar 26 will be reciprocated, its rearward movement being equal to the length of a tooth of the ratchetwheel, and its forward movement being the same, and this range of movement is equal to the distance between two cups, thus to effect proper timing between the operations of the means for raising the ejecting member of the cup and for permitting the plunger that forces a bunch into a cup to cooperate properly therewith.

As heretofore stated, mechanism is provided for releasing the locking devices, of the cups, and for automatically opening and closing them.

The means for `opening the lids or closures of the cups embodies a race or cam 35, shown in detail in Fig. 3, and which is located on one side of the machine, and in position to be engaged by the balls 15 of the extensions 14 of the compressing members. This cam comprises two members 36 and 37, arranged in approximate parallelism and projecting laterally from a back plate 33, the said parts 36 and 37 constituting the closure opening portion of the cam, and a cam face 39 constituting the closing element of the cam. At the entering end of the cam the members 36 and 37 are slightly flared and thence up to the point, or approximately thereto, where the closing member of the cam starts they are arranged in parallelism, the upper member 36 terminating short of the closing element and the member 37 continuing and merging thereinto on a curved portion 40.

The means for releasing the locking latches of the cups and for relooking them, is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10, and comprises a lever' 41 suitably pivoted to a fixed part of the machine. To one end of the lever is connected a vertical arm 42, which works in a machine, and is provided at its upper' end with an inturned toe 44, the function of which will presently appear. To the other end of the lever is connected one end of a link 45, the other end of which is pivotally connected to one member 45 of a three-armed lever 47, the latter lever being suitably supported for rocking movement upon the machine frame. The vertical member 48 of the lever 47 has connected with it at its upper end a bolt 49 which works in a guide 5()` rigid with the frame, said guide being provided with a nose or cam surface 51 disposed in the path of movement of the catches 17, as clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12. rlhe third arm or member 52 of the lever 47 is provided with a roller 53 which is adapted to be engaged by a cam 54 driven by a suitable mechanism not necessary to be shown. The movement of the cam is so timed with relation to the other operative parts of the machine that as one of the baile 45 enters the race or cam 35, the bolt 49 is projected, as shown in F ig. 11, and thrusts the toe 13 out of engagement with the under side of the offset keeper, and as this release is effected, the ball is thrown laterally by the liared entering mouth of the cam, thereby moving the toe 18 of the latch upward a sritlicieiit distance to prevent its reengagement with the offset. As the cup continues to move, a projection 55 on the outer end of the lid or closure contacts with the cam 51, and the lid is thus further forced open. The ball still continues to travel in the cam 35 and is gradually opened until it assumes the vertical position indicated at A of Fig. 1. At this point, the movement of the carrier is arrested by the backward stroke of the bar 26, and the means for raising the ejecting member of the cup to move the bunch above the upper walls thereof comes into play. This mechanism embodies a plunger 5G which is `guided for vertical movement between two guides 57 secured to the under side of the table 58 of the machine, said plunger being actuated by a bell-crank lever 59 pivotally connected with the plunger 56 and fulcrumed at its bend upon a shaft 60. The lower arm 61 of the bell-crank lever carries a roller G2 which is designed to bear against the periphery of a snail-cani G3 rigid with the driveshaft 29.

As the upward movement of the plunger, owing to the resistance to movement presented by the ejecting member' of the cup, will have a tendency to lift the latter, means are provided for positively holding the cup against any vertical movement, and this consists of a pair of guides G4 (Fig. 2) formed on or carried. by the table which, as shown in Fig. 2, is cut away for a `portion of its length to permit operation of the plunger, and these guides are engagedby the lugs 12 of the shell or body portion. As the plunger 5G lifts to eject a bunch, as illustrated at the point A in Fig. l, a plunger G5, actuated in any suitable way, is depressed, and forces a bunch down into a cup in advance of that from which the bunch is being ejected by the plunger, as indicated at the point B in Fig. I. After forcing the bunch into the cup, the plunger is immediately retracted. Motion now being imparted to the conveyer, the ball of the lid or closure of the cup just receiving a bunch, passes up the curved portion l-O of the cam, thereby closing the lid, and by the time the ball has reached the upper flat surface at the release end of the cam, the lid is entirely closed. At this moment the cam 54 again rocks the lever 45, whereupon the arm f2 is drawn down and its toe engages with the projection 55 on the outer end of the lid or closure, completely seating the lid and brin ing the toe of the catch into engagement with the offset 7. The lid of course then remains closed during practically a complete cycle of the conveyer, whereupon the operations just described are repeated.

Ordinarily, the return of the plunger 56 to its normal position will be effected by gravity; but to guard against any failure of proper return, a coiled spring 66 may be connected with the arm 59 of the bell-crank lever and be secured to any fixed part of the frame of the machine.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that by the arrangement of mechanism herein described positive and rapid formation of bunches may be secured with the assurance of uniformity of the output. Moreover, by the simplicity of the construction of the parts, and the manner in which they are assembled and cooperate, danger of derangement in use is reduced to a minimum, and as all the parts may be made in standard sizes, repair in case. of breakage or damage may be readily and cheaply effected.

The bunches after being treated by the foregoing mechanism may be delivered to or into suitable wrapper applying mechanism, or other mechanism, or may be deposited on a table or support for subsequent manipulation.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what I claim is l. A cigar-bunch receiving-cup consisting of a shell, a bunch ejector arranged therein and constituting the bottom thereof, a. bunch compressing member hinged to said shell, a keeper carried by said shell and an automatic locking device car 1ied by said bunch compressing member and adapted to automatically engage said keeper.

2. In a cigar machine, a traveling bunchconveying and shaping mechanism, comprising a plurality of bunch-receiving cups, lids therefor, means for locking said lids when closed, and stationary means arranged in the path of said cups and provided with lid opening and closing elements.

3. VIn a cigar machine, traveling mechanism, bunch-receiving cups carried thereby and provided with bunch ejecting means, and means arranged adjacent the path of said cups for forcing bunches thereinto.

if. In a cigar machine, traveling mechanism, bunch-receiving cups carried thereby and provided with bunch ejecting means, and a suitably shaped plunger arranged adjacent the path of said cups for forcing bunches thereinto, whereby the bunches are shaped.

5. In a cigar machine, traveling bunchconveying and shaping mechanism comprising a plurality of bunch-receiving cups, lids or closures therefor including locking mechanism, means for releasing the locking mechanism and stationary means for opening the lids or closures.

6. In a cigar machine, traveling bunchconveying and shaping mechanism comprising a plurality of bunch-receiving cups, lids or closures therefor including locking mechanism, means for releasing the locking mechanism, and a stationary race for opening and closing the lids or closures.

7. In a cigar machine, a plurality of traveling bunch-receiving cups, closures therefor including locking mechanism, means for releasing the locking mechanism, a stationary race with which a part of the closures coact to effect opening and closing thereof, and means for locking the closures.

8. In a cigar machine, a plurality of traveling bunch-receiving cups, closures therefor including locking mechanism, a race with which a part of the closures coact to effect opening and closing thereof, and means operating independently of the race to unlock and then to lock the locking mechanisni.

9. In a cigar machine, a table having guides, a plurality of traveling bunch-receiving cups having parts to engage the guides, a movable element in each cup, and means for raising and lowering the said element.

10. In a cigar machine, traveling mechanism, a plurality of bunch-receiving cups carried thereby, a movable element Within each cup, means for raising and lowering said element, and means for holding the cup against movement when the movable element is being actuated.

11. In a cigar machine, traveling mechanism, a bunch-receiving cup carried thereby and provided with a bunch ejector and a bunch compressor, and successively operating means for moving said compressor to permit ejection of the bunch and operating said ejector to eject the bunch.

l2. In a cigar machine, traveling mechanism a bunch-receiving cup carried thereby and provided With a bunch ejector, means for compressing a bunch in said cup, means for locking said compressor in compressing position, means for releasing said lock, means for moving said compressor to permit ejection of` the bunch, and means for ej ecting the bunch from the cup.

13. In a cigar machine, a bunch-receiving cup, a movable member therein for imparting shape to a bunch, a lid or closure for the cup to compress the bunch and impart the finished shape thereto, means for automatically releasing the lid or closure, and means for automatically raising the bunch bodily to the upper surface of the cup.

14. In a cigar machine, an endless carrier, a plurality of bunch-receiving cups carried thereby, a movable member constituting the bottom of each cup, a hinged lid carried by each cup and provided with locking means, means for impartingastep-byestep motion to the conveyer, and means operating simultaneously to release the lid of one cup, raise the movable member thereof to bring the bunch to position to be removed, and for effecting locking of the cover of a cup that has received a fresh bunch.

15. In a cigar machine, an endless carrier comprising` a plurality of bunch-receiving cups, a movable member constituting the bottom of each cup, a lid or closure therefor, means operating automatically first to release the lid or cover and then to effect its opening, and means operating automatically to project the bunch into position to be renmoved from the cup.

16. In a cigar machine, an endless carrier comprising a plurality of bunch-receiving cups, a movable member constituting the bottom of each cup, a lid or closure therefor, means operating automatically first to release a lid or closure and then to effect its opening, means operating automatically to project the bunch into position to be removed from the cup, and means for causing automatic closing and locking of the lid or closure after a cup has received a fresh bunch.

17. In a cigarv machine, an endless conveyer comprising a plurality of bunch-re ceiving cups, a movable member carried by each cup, a closure or lid therefor, means for imparting a step-by-step motion to the conveyer, each step being equal to the distance between a cup, means operating automatically to release a lid or closure and gradually open it, means operating automatically to actuate the movable member to bring a bunch to position to be removed, and means operating automatically to close a lid or closure after a cup has received a fresh bunch.

18. A cigar machine comprising traveling mechanism, bunch-receiving cups carried thereby, and provided with bunch ejectors and bunch compressors, means for forcing bunches into said cups, means for closing said compressors upon the bunches in the cups, means for moving said compressors to permit ejection of the bunches, and means for operating said ejectors to eject the bunches from the cups.

19. A cigar machine comprising traveling mechanism, bunch-receiving cups carried thereby and provided with bunch ejectors and bunch compressors, a plunger for forcing bunches into said cups, means for closing said compressors upon the bunches in the cups, means for moving said compressors to permit ejection of the bunches, and means for operating said ejectors to eject the bunches from the cups.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tvvo subscribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH D. LACROIX. Witnesses DAVID T. Davis, I-IETTY C. SWAR'rs. 

